C—B.

18

McLaren's time was fully taken up, he could not come over, but that his vacations were at his own disposal. We thought this would not work very well, on account of the long space of time between vacations. , Mr. McLaren however, came over and gave the students some valuable lectures, in tne meantime, until 15th August, the school was idle. Mr. A. A. Adams, assayer and metallurgist to the Great Mercury Mine, came to Kuaotunu, and arrangements were made with him to conduct classes in metallurgy, chemistry, and assaying, which have continued to date. Mr. John Carrol also gave instruction in mathematics from that date, and is still conducting the class, with every prospect of fair results. Since the beginning of this year Mr. G. W. Horn, first-class mine-manager, and assayer to the Mariposa Gold-mining Company, has started what is termed a "mining class." Instruction is given in field-surveying, working theodolite, chaining, &c, plotting, putting on plan, and calculation of areas, &c. The attendance at classes is as follows: — Number of Avfiraee Students. Average. Metallurgy 20 14 Chemistry) 20 12 Assaying ] Mathematics ... ... ... ... ••• ••• *v *■< Mining ... ... ••• ••• ■•• ••■ 8 6 In conclusion, I may state that the funds of the school are not very nourishing, depending wholly on students' and members' subscriptions and class-fees. While we give Mr. Adams a nominal salary, Messrs. Carrol and Horn give their services gratuitously. I expect that the depressed state of mining here in this district will greatly reduce the attendance, as the school depends entirely on the miners as students. Two students —Messrs. G. W. Horn and Fred White—went up for examination at the Thames School of Mines last January for a battery superintendent's and mine-manager's certificate respectively. WESTPOET SCHOOL. Mr. Bradley, Chairman of the Committee, reports as follows : — The Committee have the honour to report on the progress of the institution for the past year as follows :— ■ Owing to the mining depression, the local subscriptions have not been so large as formerly, but the Mines Department have granted a subsidy of £50, and the county and borough £15 and £1 0 respectively, which, with the local revenue, have enabled us to go on, and there is still a balance of £25 18s. sd. in hand. The attendance of the pupils has not been so numerous as could be wished, but still the Committee feel satisfied that the work done has been of a practical and lasting character, and are pleased to be able to report that one of the pupils, Mr. T. Mullan, has left Westport to complete his scientific studies at the Technical Institute, Sydney. Other two of the most promising pupils have also left for Invercargill, and we have no doubt that the course of study commenced in Westport will be carried on there. It is the earnest desire of the Committee that the opportunities of instruction afforded by this institution should be taken full advantage of by the pupils attending the District High School, and we anticipate obtaining a large number of pupils from this source. The Committee have reduced the class-fees to a minimum, to encourage the attendance of junior pupils. The Government has lately granted us a site for a building, and your Committee must appeal at once to the public for funds towards the erection of a school. The department has promised pound-for-pound assistance up to £150 of subsidy, and the rent of the present premises is a heavy burden on our finances. The engagement with Mr. James as instructor came to an end last August, but that gentleman has since generously conducted the classes free of charge, and the Committee have to record their thanks for this service. Thanks are also due to Mr. A. H. Eichards, Assistant Inspector of Mines, for his valuable aid in the collection of mineral specimens. Instructor's Report. The Instructor (Mr. C. H. James) reports as follows : — I beg to report that the course of instruction in mineralogy, chemistry, and assaying has been ■■continued throughout the past year, and am pleased to be able to state that very good progress was made up to the end of that term, especially in the mineralogy classes, the work of several of the students showing a thorough insight into the elementary principles of systematic and determinative mineralogy. The classes have somewhat fallen off this term owing to four of the more advanced students having left the district, but it is very probable that almost immediately their places will be filled. During the year many specimens and samples have been submitted to me for determination, and in this respect alone the institution is proving a very great benefit to the district. The text-books are the same as those used during last year, with the addition of Park's "Assaying" and Collins's "Mineralogy." Instead of closing the school during the long holidays I thought it best" to carry on the classes, in order to keep them together as much as possible. This was done at midwinter and midsummer. Several additions have been made to the mineral collection, and a small experimental chlorination plant was fitted for the metallurgy class early in the year. In conclusion, I might state that the prospects of the school were never more promising since I have been connected with it than during the past term.